These Famous Child Actors Have Changed the Most Over Time

It is one thing to be an actor, but it is another to be a child actor. These kids, who enter the show business at a young age, realize early that it's not always easy being in the spotlight and many unusual things happen behind the scenes.

Taliesin Jaffe launched his career in the 1980s by playing Kenny Butler on the hit comedy Mr. Mom. He then moved to the small screen and joined the cast of TV sitcom She's the Sheriff. Sadly, the show was axed after just one season so Jaffe decided to go back to school. 

Thousands of young girls vied for the titular role of Punky Brewster, but it was Soleil Moon Frye who got the part. From there, she was able to land more roles in films like You Ruined My Life and The St. Tammany Miracle. She was even recognized with the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series.

Abigail Breslin was only five years old when she entered the show business through Signs. Just half a decade into her career, she was already nominated for an Academy Award. For her work in Little Miss Sunshine, Breslin made history as the fourth-youngest actress to be in running for that category. 

Raven-Symoné has been on a roll since the 80s. She started out in the hit sitcom The Cosby Show then moved on to Hangin' With Mr. Cooper. At the time, she was actually just getting warmed up with those two big projects. She would eventually star in her own sitcom, which is That's So Raven. 

Even before Twilight, Kristen Stewart had already made waves as a child actor. For her work in 2002's Panic room, she was nominated for a Young Artist award. She also took on roles in other noughties films like Zathura: A Space Adventure.

Contrary to popular belief, Daniel Radcliffe's first ever film was actually BBC One's David Copperfield in 1999. It was only a year after that when he nabbed the role of Harry Potter in the film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's novel series. Starring in those eight movies over the years cemented his status as a star. 

Tom Hanks was the star of Forrest Gump but his movie son, Haley Joel Osment, also captured the audience's attention. That was only the beginning for Osment, who would earn Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his magnificent performance in The Sixth Sense. 

Jonathan Lipnicki dominated the big screen from the late 90s until the early 00s. His acting debut was in 1996's Jerry Maguire, followed by TV roles on The Jeff Foxworthy Show and Dawson's Creek. He also starred in 1999's Stuart Little and its 2002 sequel.

Arguably the most unforgettable child actor of the 90s, Macaulay Culkin started appearing in commercials and films at the tender age of four. From his role in 1989's Uncle Buck, Culkin landed his most famous role as Kevin McCallister in Home Alone. He also starred in The Pagemaster and Richie Rich.

Ron Howard's acting career began in the 60s as Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show. Just a few years after his first project, he landed the lead role on the sitcom Happy Days. For this, he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy in 1978. 

Mayim Bialik emerged as a child actor in the 1980s. After taking on recurring roles on MacGyver and Webster, she finally got her big break as the titular character on the NBC sitcom Blossom. It helped her blooming career as well as the network's sitcom dominance. 

Malcom in the Middle star Frankie Muniz was Fox's apple of the eye in the early 2000s. His performance brought in huge ratings, as well as two Golden Globe nominations for his epic performance. In the big screen, Muniz also raked in dollars for Agent Cody Banks and its 2004 sequel.

For her performance in Purple People Eater, six-year-old Thora Birch won the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Under Nine Years of Age. She then kept securing movie roles with projects like Hocus Pocus and Patriot Games. On the television, Birch was among the cast of Day by Day and Parenthood.

Jason Bateman grabbed everyone's attention as Derek Taylor in Silver Spoons. In no time at all, he landed his own sitcom called It's Your Move. By the end of the 80s, Bateman already cemented his teen idol status, appearing in The Hogan Family and Teen Wolf Too.

Eleven-year-old Anna Chlumsky starred opposite Macaulay Culkin in 1991's My Girl. The film's success led to the child actress starring in My Girl 2, Trading Mom, and Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain. Before the end of the decade though, she hit pause on her career to attend the University of Chicago.

The Addams Family made Christina Ricci famous overnight. She reprised her popular role as Wednesday Addams in its 1993 sequel. She wasn't done spooking the audience in 1995's Casper. By the end of the decade, Ricci has graduated from her innocent characters and began playing adult roles.

Tiffani Thiessen started her career on the runway as a fashion model then transitioned to TV as Kelly Kapowski on teen comedy Saved by the Bell. During her later years on the show, she would juggle her time as Valerie Malone Beverly Hills, 90210. Her massive exposure made her a familiar face. 

Anna Paquin was just warming up in the industry when she got the part for The Piano. Her marvelous performance as Flora McGrath earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Being the second-youngest Oscar winner ever paved the way for more projects. 

As a member of the Barrymore family of actors, it's no surprise that Drew started young. The hard work paid off though, with 1982's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial making her one of the highest-grossing child actors of all time. 

The Wonder Years saw Danica McKellar competing with her baby sister Crystal for the role of Winnie Cooper. The older McKellar got the part, and she followed it up with minor roles on Babylon 5 and Walker, Texas Ranger.

In the 1980s, every boy wanted to be Fred Savage while every girl had a crush on him. Whether it was on television or in films, the Chicago native was in demand during the decade. He's best known as Kevin Arnold on the hit TV show The Wonder Years, but he also became popular for The Princess Bride and The Wizard.

Melissa Joan Hart put her name on the map and introduced Nickelodeon at the same time. Her hit show Clarissa Explains It All broke grounds for other successful shows on the popular cable network.

A few years before giving life to Kimmy Gibbler on the hit sitcom Full House, Andrea Barber actually played Carrie Brady on the hit soap opera Days of Our Lives. For her portrayal, she won two Soap Opera Digest Awards for Outstanding Youth Actress in a Daytime Soap Opera.

Jennette McCurdy is best remembered as Sam Puckett on Nickelodeon's iCarly, but she got her start with minor roles on Malcolm in the Middle and Judging Amy. As Sam, she won Kids’ Choice Awards for Favorite TV Sidekick. She even got her own albeit short-lived show for the 2013 spinoff Sam & Cat.

Mrs. Doubtfire introduced Mara Wilson as a talented child actor to keep an eye on. She subsequently starred in 1994's Miracle on 34th Street, then got her most popular role as the title character in 1996's Matilda. The film remains a cult classic today.  

Joseph Gordon-Levitt got his foot in the door through television series like The Powers That Be and Dark Shadows. It was through the popular NBC sitcom 3rd Rock From the Sun that the young actor received his fourth Young Artist Awards nomination. Sadly, he appeared less during the final season to focus on college life.

Alison Porter became a successful child actor as the title character of 1991's Curly Sue. She was deeply loved by the audience, and by the cast and crew as well. Porter actually starred in the short-lived ABC sitcom Chicken Soup in 1989 before being in the comedy drama.

For her role in I Am Sam, eight-year-old Dakota Fanning made history as the youngest SAG Award nominee ever. She kept the movie roles coming with Man on Fire and the Twilight series. She acted and studied at the same time, graduating from Campbell Hall School in 2011.

Hilary Duff reigned over Disney Channel in the early 2000s. She was the ultimate teen queen thanks to her titular role in the teen comedy Lizzie McGuire. She even jumped to the big screen for The Lizzie McGuire Movie in 2003.

Many aspiring child actors auditioned for the role of Ofelia in 2006 Pan's Labyrinth, but it was Spanish actress Ivana Baquero who landed the role. The production was actually looking for an eight-year-old but she convinced them with her audition piece. For her role, Baquero won a Goya Award for Best New Actress.

Madeline Zima cut her teeth in the 90s through the role of Grace Sheffield on the TV sitcom The Nanny. This secured her next projects, Californication and Heroes. She also starred in a few films including Mr. Nanny and 'Til There Was You.

Cole Sprouse cemented his child star status in the Disney comedy The Suite Life of Zach and Cody alongside his twin brother Dylan. However, his career actually began in the 1994 hit sitcom Friends and in the 1999 film Big Daddy. He took a break from acting to get a college degree.

Hana Hatae gained an audience as a child for her adorable role as Molly O'Brien on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Her career, however, did not take off. It just resulted with a few guest appearances on TV shows like Family Matters. 

Michael Ray Bower became known for his role as Donkeylips on the Nickelodeon comedy Salute Your Shorts. His unstoppable portrayal earned him a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Cable Series. He also starred in movies such as Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School and The Willies. 

In 2001, Tania Raymonde began turning heads for her portrayal of Cynthia Sanders on the hit sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. As she grew up as a teenager, she was recognized for her role as Alex Rousseau on the ABC drama Lost.

After working on a Burger King commercial, David Lascher appeared on numerous shows as a child actor. He starred on the Nickelodeon show Hey Dude, but also portrayed roles in other television shows such as Blossom, Clueless, and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. 

Kel Mitchell showed signs of being a promising comedian at a young age. He kickstarted his career on the sitcom Kenan & Kel, starring alongside Kenan Thompson. It became easy for him to secure roles on other Nickelodeon shows.

Lori Beth Denberg caught the viewers' attention as one of the original cast members of the Nickelodeon show All That. She stood out for being the host of the "Vital Information" segment. The sketch comedy show helped her land a role on the sitcom The Steve Harvey Show. 

Thirteen-year-old Josh Peck made the right decision to move to Los Angeles upon landing the role of Josh Nicholls on the Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh. His performance would secure him roles in movie like Drillbit Taylor and The Wackness.

The Nanny paved the way for Benjamin Salisbury to create a career as a child actor. His role as Bright Sheffield inspired special film roles in 1992's Captain Ron, and 1996's D3: The Mighty Ducks. He also lent his voice as Tin Boy on The Oz Kids.

Thanks to his vibrant suspenders and funny personality, Jaleel White's role on the CBS sitcom Family Matters gained him a following. Before portraying Stevel Urkel though, he initially worked on The Jeffersons and Charlie & Co. 

Many people are aware that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen began as child actors on the hit sitcom Full House. This gig resulted to more roles on TV films such as To Grandmother's House We Go and Double, Double, Toil and Trouble.

Josh Server found fame as a child by being part of the original cast of Nickelodeon show All That. He was the only one who stayed from the first season up to the very last. The young actor also made appearances on other series in the network like Alex Mack, Figure It Out, and Drake & Josh. 

Portraying T.J. Henderson on the hit comedy Smart Guy made Tahj Mowry a child actor to look after. The role earned Mowry two Young Artist Award nominations. Years before that though, Mowry appeared on several episodes of Full House and Out All Night.

At two years old, Miko Hughes already jumpstarted his career with an acting gig on a public service announcement. He established himself a horror flick staples through Pet Sematary and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare. He also had minor roles on Baywatch and Beverly Hills, 90210. 

Sean O'Neal's rose to fame for his role as Sam Anders on the Nickelodeon show Clarissa Explains It All in 1991. For his incredible performance, he was nominated twice for the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor Starring in a Cable Series.

Three-year-old Scarlett Pomers got her start not on commercials, not on TV shows or films, but on Michael Jackson's music video, "Heal the World. She then nabbed the role of a young Naomi Wildman on Star Trek: Voyage and gained more prominence as Kyra Hart on Reba. 

Several TV commercial experiences landed Jeremy Miller the role of Ben Seaver on the ABC sitcom Growing Pains. Miller gained popularity from his character, snagging more projects like a role on the show Shalom Sesame and a McDonald's advertisement. 

Josh Saviano got his big break playing Paul Pfeiffer on the ABC comedy drama The Wonder Years. Before landing this main gig though, he had minor roles on The Ray Bradbury Theater and The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.